
Meredith Toebben
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Music Composition and Music Education

What are you currently working on?
At the beginning of this year I put the finishing touches on a musical that I composed (with the help of a librettist) and am currently in the midst of the rehearsal process, as it premieres this spring! The show, titled Lost & Found consists of the following: Lost & Found tells the story of six friends who just graduated college and are all in different stages of figuring out what comes next. Tied together by the words of a letter one girl writes in hopes of resolving some unspoken problems, they realize it’s never the wrong time to be upfront about how you feel. Along with this I am the music director of the all girl a cappella group on campus, Boots & Cats. We are in the middle of recording a CD, which consists of 8 songs, 6 of which are my arrangements.
What DMYAT projects were you involved with?
Composer / Sound Designer for My Name is Rachel Corrie
Assistant Composer / Sound Designer for Little Women (composing Jo's opera, the play within the play)
Music Director for Adolescent Anarchy's Big Fish
Sound Crew for The Hobbit
Instructor / Music Director for A Charlie Brown Christmas: 2016 Winter Break Camp
What project are you most proud of (artistically?)
Oh goodness, I would have to say that my newly finished musical is the biggest and most important thing (to me, at least) that I have ever done in my life. The fact that I got to create a story line, scenes, and songs from nothing was so exciting!
How did DMYAT prepare you for life beyond Des Moines theatre?
DMYAT was the first theater that let me explore my love for sound design after realizing that I had an interest in the field. Without the follow through after that original spark, I'm not sure I would be where I am today, majoring in composition (and music education but that isn't relevant here)!
What advice do you have for current Young Artists, ranging in age from 8-18?
There is so much more to theater than being in the spotlight. Don't get me wrong, I love being onstage, but my love of composition has turned out to be even greater. Try something new every once in awhile that is a little outside of your comfort zone. All our passions start that way and, without taking that leap, I would not be where I am today. Plus, isn't it wonderful to try something new and exciting?
To follow Meredith's advice and try something outside your comfort zone, email Artistic Director, David VanCleave, and inquire about opportunities on DMYAT Production Teams.
To be featured on DMYAT's Spotlight, click here.